Yew
Taxus baccata
Description
The Yew is an evergreen tree and is one of only 3 native British conifers, the other 2 being Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Common Juniper (Juniperus communis). Yew trees are single sex which is technically known as dioecious and means that only a ‘female’ tree will produce berries. Mature Yews typically grow to between 15 and 20 metres tall with branches often spreading as wide as the tree is high. Yew is one of the longest living of all trees and specimens with a trunk circumference greater than 6 metres are believed to be at least one thousand years old. However, accurate dating may not be possible since many of the oldest trees are hollow in the middle and so the rings cannot be counted
Yew trees feature widely in historical and mythological stories and because they live so long, are often associated with powers of recuperation. Recently it has been found that the compound Taxol synthesised from freshly cut Yew foliage is effective in combating some forms of cancer. Every part of the Yew tree is toxic, with the exception of the red flesh ‘aril’ which surrounds the small green seed.
Situation
Although common throughout New Forest woodlands, many of our oldest Yews today are found growing in churchyards. St Nicholas Churchyard in Brockenhurst along with Breamore Churchyard each has a thriving Yew tree with a hollow trunk over 6 metres in circumference. Indeed it is possible to stand inside the trunk of the Breamore tree.
Seasons/Life cycle
| Flowers | Leaves | Fruit |
| February Very small female flowers which can easily be mistaken for buds. The male flowers form a spiral rosette and can release clouds of pollen in dry conditions. |
All year Small dark green needles. |
October Single green seed surrounded by a soft red aril ripening by October, the arils are eaten by birds and so distributed widely. |
Uses
Famously used for making longbows in the Middle Ages, and much favoured by wood turners for the dark red and vivid yellow colour of the wood. Yew can be regularly cut back and is much favoured for topiary work.
